Come join us for the third annual 13.1 Atlanta Marathon and Karhu 5K on Sunday, October 2, 2011 in Town Brookhaven where both events will begin and end with a warm atmosphere and festivities. It’s not too late to register; participants have until Sept. 28, to register online, but there will be a price increase for walk-up registration on Sept. 30 and Oct. 1.

The new start line has been improved and will feature wider lanes with less congestion allowing for a smoother transition to accommodate all the participants. For the finish line, Town Brookhaven will add a festive atmosphere for the runners who have completed their 13.1 mile journey and want to celebrate a personal victory.

The 13.1 course this year takes runners through Town Brookhaven in Atlanta’s Brookhaven community, situated on Peachtree Road, north of Lenox Square Mall and Phipps Plaza, and borders the historic Oglethorpe University.

Every journey begins with a single step and the Karhu 5K is a family-friendly event that could be perfect for participants who want to take the first steps in reaching their best self.

This year Karhu, which is Finnish for “bear,” asks 5K participants to “Beat the Karhu bear” where the first 10 runners who beat the bear win a coupon good for a FREE pair of running shoes of their choice. Others who finish ahead of the Karhu Bear will receive a free Karhu t-shirt.

The Refuel with Chocolate Milk Tour Recovery Zone will be located at the finish line in Town Brookhaven, 4330 Peachtree Road, Atlanta, Ga. Athletes and spectators can engage in free activities and explore the science behind refueling with low fat chocolate milk first hand.

The race begins at 7 AM on Sunday and the course is walker friendly and will remain open for three hours and 30 minutes.